Means for holding covers in place



April 14, 1931. H. c. CLAUSEN 1,800,715

MEANS FOR HOLDING COVERS IN PLACE Filed June 18, 1930 A Fi 2.

7 (T T] V W/W%/%4% M INVENTOR 1 //.C.C/qu6en,

L KW 4. ATTORNEY Patented Apr; 14, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HAROLD C. CLAUSEN, OF SWISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOB. TO THE UNION SWITCH & SIGNAL COMPANY, OF SWISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA MEANS r03 HOLDING oovERs IN PLACE Application filed June 18,

My invention relates to means for holding covers in place, and has for an object the provision of means for permitting a limited amount of movement of the cover without disturbing the holding means, while at the same time permitting easy removal of the cover to give access to the parts which are covered thereby.

I will describe one form of holding means embodying my invention, and will then point out the novel features thereof in claim.

In the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view showing one form of holding means embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the cover A shown in Fig. 1.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in each of the views.

Referring to the drawing, the reference character G designates an abutment to which is fixed a plate D having a portion which overhangs the abutment. The overhanging portion of the plate D is provided with a hole 5. Restingon the overhanging portion of the plate D is a cover A provided with a countersunk hole 3 which registers with the hole 5 in the plate D. The hole 3 is connected with the edge of the cover A by. a slot 4, the width of which is the same as the diameter of the smaller part of the hole 3. Passing through the holes in the parts A and D is a bolt B, the head 6 of which is located in the countersink of the hole 3. The diameter of the shank of the bolt B is such that it will pass freely through the slot 4. The hole 5 in the plate D is preferably large enough to accommodate the shank of the bolt B with considerable clearance. A nut is threaded on the lower end of the bolt B, and a coiled spring G surrounds the shank of the bolt, so that one end engages the lower side of the plate D while the other end engages a washer 7 which rests against the nut E.

The part which is to be protected by the cover A may include a member H which has a limited motion in a vertical direction. Normally this member H occupies the position in which it is shown in the drawing, and when in this position the cover A occupies the position in which it is shown in solid lines 1930. Serial no. 462,049.

wherein the right-hand end of the cover rests on the upper surface of the plate D. If the member H moves upwardly, it will tilt the cover A into a position such as that which is indicated by the dash lines, this movement being permitted by the spring C, but such movement cannot disturb the means for holding the cover in place.

In order to remove the cover A for access to the parts which are protected thereby, it is only necessary to lift the bolt B far enough to raise the head 6 out of the hole 3, whereupon the cover A can be shifted to the left because the shank of the bolt B will pass through the slot 4. The bolt may be lifted by inserting a tool between the head 6 and the wall of the hole 3, or it may be lifted by drilling and tapping the bolthead and inserting a suitable handle into the tapped bolt.

Apparatus embodying my invention is well adapted for use in connection with car retarders for railway classification yards, skate machines for use in such yards, and railway switch machines, in all of which devices it is sometimes necessary to cover a moving part and to permit easy removal of the cover for examination of the moving part.

One advantages of apparatus embodying my invention is that it is simple in design and involves no projecting lugs which can be damaged or knocked off. It involves no loose springs or clips to be lost or damaged while the cover is removed. The spring and bolt are protected from damage, and the wear on the parts is minimized because the vertical movement of the member H is resisted and centered by the spring G.

Although I have herein shown and described only one form of holding means embodying my invention, it is understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claim without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

In combination, an abutment, a plate fixed to and overhanging said abutment and provided with a hole in the overhanging portion, a. cover resting on said plate and having V a countersunk hole registering with the hole in said plate and a slot'extending from said 5 hole tothe edge of-the cowgeiya boltpassing througli the hlefiin said plate; and cover t with its head resting in the countersink of the cover hole, a nut on said bolt and a cdiled =pfing16eated onsaid belt with one 10 eiid engaging the nut and the other end I engaging the underside of said fixed plate,

' whereby said cover is capable, of limited movement but cannotbe removed from the. plate Without lifting the bqlthead ut of i v 15 the countersink.

testimony whereqf l aifix my signature. 7 V HAROLD. 0. GLAUSEN. 

